CFN Cornerback Rankings Top 5: 2024 NFL Draft

It might not be as exciting as getting a quarterback or a flashy offensive skill player, but in the 2024 NFL Draft the cornerbacks are as good and promising as any of the positions. 

The top five in the CFN ranking of the top corners will all be expected to rock right out of the gate. If these five don't all go in the first round - and start on Day One - be very, very disappointed.

2024 NFL Draft Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | Cs | OG | OT
DT | Edge | LB | Safs | @PeteFiutak
CBs 6-10 | 11-20 | 21-30

Cornerback Rankings 2024 NFL Draft: Top 5

5 Cooper DeJean, Iowa

6-1, 203, Projection: 1st Round
120 tackles, 7 INT, 13 PBU

Cooper DeJean, From The College Football Perspective: Possibly the best all-around playmaking college corner in the draft, he's a fantastic return man who cuts in a dime, has the size to bring the power to the run D, and he's always dangerous with the ball in his hands - he took three picks for scores in 2022. So why so low? He’s coming off a broken leg.

4 Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

6-0, 195, Projection: 1st Round
123 tackles, 6 INT, 45 PBU

Quinyon Mitchell, From The College Football Perspective: May someone fall in love with you like the scouting community fell for for Mitchell during the offseason process.

Amazing over the last three seasons, he was one of the nation's most productive defenders - 37 broken up passes over the last two seasons - with the ability to fight for tackles. he's got all the tools in the box. Good size, great quickness, productive on the field, and yeah, the 4.33 at the combine gave the scouts all the feels.

He's an NFL starter, and he was solid against Illinois and Notre Dame, but he did a lot of work against almost all Group of Five programs. His game will translate, but the top three are a wee bit more polished and stress-tested.

3 Nate Wiggins, Clemson

6-1, 173, Projection: 1st Round
60 tackles, 3 INT, 21 PBU

Nate Wiggins, From The College Football Perspective: Blow off the stats. He picked off three passes over the last two years and only made 58 tackles, but the 19 broken up throws are more indicative of what he can do.

He's a bit thin and missing the thump, but he moves really, really well. The quickness, the frame to play bigger against the larger receivers, and the 4.28 speed give him almost all of the tools. He's not banging anyone against the run, but with his speed and skills, whatever.

2 Terrion Arnold, Alabama

6-0, 189, Projection: 1st Round
108 tackles, 6 INT, 20 PBU

Terrion Arnold, From The College Football Perspective: The guy just knows how to cover.

It helped to be on the other side of Kool-Aid McKinstry, and vice versa, but he's smooth as silk, is great in the open field against the run, and he plays like he's been coached on all of the finer points.

With all of that said, he'll be outmuscled by the bigger targets at the next level, but that's nitpicking.

There's too much quickness, speed, and all-around skill to think he'll be anything but a high-end starter who'll take on everyone's No. 1 man.

1 Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama

6-0, 199, Projection: 1st Round
93 tackles, 2 INT, 23 PBU

Kool-Aid McKinstry, From The College Football Perspective: It's like he peaked too early in the process.

Every once in a while there's a prospect who's so obvious so soon that he becomes taken for granted. McKinstry was amazing in 2022 - 15 broken up passes - and was everyone's sure-thing top corner for the 2024 NFL Draft.

He was every bit as good in 2023, even though he wasn't tested quite as much. It's not like he got any worse.

He's a pro's pro who'll tackle, has the combination of size and quickness, and he'll be more than fine in any scheme. Take him, start him, don't worry about him. He's a sure-thing one of 11 on your D.

2024 NFL Draft Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | Cs | OG | OT
DT | Edge | LB | Safs | @PeteFiutak
CBs 6-10 | 11-20 | 21-30